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Re: Looking for a decent "cheap" camcorder

Seriously, not trying to be a wise guy.....hit the pawn shops Shade.

You know how hippos are made out to be sweet and silly, like big cows, but are actually extremely dangerous and can kill you with stunning brutality? The Pacers are the NBA's hippos....Matt Moore CBS Sports....

The Following User Says Thank You to RWB For This Useful Post:

Re: Looking for a decent "cheap" camcorder

A friend of mine who did film pushed this point strongly with everybody he talked to:

Don't worry about the camera. There will always be better cameras, and you'll always have time to get a better camera. If you have a major project you can always rent a camera. Any projects you do when you're starting are likely to be pretty bad no matter what camera you use. It will take a while to accumulate enough skill for the camera to be a limiting factor (rough quote).

Basically, if the camera you're using can output a file type that Premiere can read, then you're good to go.

Re: Looking for a decent "cheap" camcorder

A friend of mine who did film pushed this point strongly with everybody he talked to:

Don't worry about the camera. There will always be better cameras, and you'll always have time to get a better camera. If you have a major project you can always rent a camera. Any projects you do when you're starting are likely to be pretty bad no matter what camera you use. It will take a while to accumulate enough skill for the camera to be a limiting factor (rough quote).

Basically, if the camera you're using can output a file type that Premiere can read, then you're good to go.

As a person who has been involved in many film projects in the last 2 years (student films) I agree 1000%

Re: Looking for a decent "cheap" camcorder

For night stuff you need a camera that had has night vision I would think. I picked up an older camera that shoots on High 8 back when I was in high school. It was a present from my parents because they knew I was interested in video. I have yet to use or see a better night vision camera. I mean literally it shows everything. I have used it as a night vision camera in my house when it is pitch black just to keep quite and not wake anyone up. But I 100% agree with Anthems post. If you have a good story it doesnt matter what you use to tell it. If you have the best camera in the world but a crap story who is going to say "Damn that looks really sweet" No they will say that was crap.

Re: Looking for a decent "cheap" camcorder

A friend of mine who did film pushed this point strongly with everybody he talked to:

Don't worry about the camera. There will always be better cameras, and you'll always have time to get a better camera. If you have a major project you can always rent a camera. Any projects you do when you're starting are likely to be pretty bad no matter what camera you use. It will take a while to accumulate enough skill for the camera to be a limiting factor (rough quote).

Basically, if the camera you're using can output a file type that Premiere can read, then you're good to go.

Great advice for any artist regardless of the medium.

The tools do not make the man. The voice does. As you get better, the tools to use become obvious and available.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill

“If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning.” - Catherine Aird

Re: Looking for a decent "cheap" camcorder

The tools do not make the man. The voice does. As you get better, the tools to use become obvious and available.

On a semi related note, LA, would it be possible to borrow $5,000?

Shade, please do share what camera you get and please post once you get some videos up (I do not have a video resume up yet, but I am working on that as a side hobby. I really want to get back into film acting, but I just have not had time lately)

Re: Looking for a decent "cheap" camcorder

I think I'm going to go with the Flip MinoHD. It's slightly above my budget ($230), but looks to be worth it. My only real gripe is that it only has a 2x zoom and no other on-board options (like lighting), but at my price point it seems to be getting the best reviews.

Skip Bayless:

"Derek Fisher will prove to be a much better NBA head coach than Steve Kerr."

"The Houston Texans will forever regret it if they do not take Johnny Manziel with the No. 1 overall pick. He will haunt them."

Re: Looking for a decent "cheap" camcorder

Without onboard zoom and lighting, you're already going to learn more about camera positioning and external lighting.

It is an old art school cliche, but it still rings true: Creativity is born from limitation.

Jaws is terrifying because they don't show you the shark until the end. They didn't show it until the end because they couldn't get the shark machine to work and had to rewrite the movie with funny "Shark POV" camera angles. It turned out the IDEA of a shark under the water was far scarier than showing a shark puppet. Box. Office. GOLD.

Don't buy your way out of creative problems. THINK your way out of them.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill

“If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning.” - Catherine Aird